The Heavy Flow Podcast

This week on Question Period I'm talking about why I added "feminist" to my job title and what it means to be a feminist nutritionist. This episode is supported by LunaPads, makers of smart, sustainable alternatives to disposable menstrual products. Visit Lunapads.com to find out why we love them and use code HEAVYFLOW for 15% off any order. Full Shownotes Period nutrition coaching Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list Follow @amandalaird on Instagram   Music credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic design: Rachel Laird

This week I'm talking to Bianca Sprague, co-founder and CEO of bebo mia inc. We discuss why birth work is feminist work, the role of a doula at a birth, how birth is getting riskier in North America particularly for marginalized communities, making maternal support more applicable and how using our voices to advocate for ourselves is an act of resistance. CW: birth trauma This episode of Heavy Flow is supported by bebo mia inc, a training and mentorship organization for women in the maternal health field. Get 40% off all courses, including payment plans, this Black Friday, Nov. 23-25, 2018. Full Shownotes Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list Follow @amandalaird on Instagram Heavy Flow is produced by: TK Matunda Music credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic design: Rachel Laird

This week a listener asks if menstrual products expire. We discuss the shelf-life of disposable pads and tampons, as well as how long reusable products such as menstrual cups, cloth pads and period underwear will last. This episode is supported by bebo mia inc, a training and mentorship organization for women in the maternal health field. Get 40% off all courses, including payment plans, this Black Friday, Nov. 23-25, 2018. Full Shownotes Register for my free workshop Breaking the Curse of Menstruation Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list Follow @amandalaird on Instagram   Music credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic design: Rachel Laird

This week I'm talking to Keli Garza, the owner of Steamy Chick, all about vaginal steaming. We discuss how Keli discovered vaginal steaming, how her business got started, why and how to use vaginal steaming for period issues, why steam is so powerful and how misogyny has shaped modern gynaecology and why we discount traditional remedies like steaming. This episode of Heavy Flow is supported by my one-on-one period coaching and holistic nutrition services. Understand your menstrual cycle. Improve your hormonal health. Increase period-related nutrition and self-advocacy skills. Full Shownotes Register for my FREE workshop Breaking the Curse of Menstruation Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list Follow @amandalaird on Instagram Heavy Flow is produced by: TK Matunda Music credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic design: Rachel Laird

This week I'm talking to Dr Camilla Mørk Røstvik, a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in the School of Art History at the University of St Andrews. We discuss the history of the sanitary bin in the UK, visual representations of menstruation and how big businesses are profiting from menstrual equity.  Register for my free online workshop Breaking the Curse of Menstruation Full Shownotes Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list Follow @amandalaird on Instagram Heavy Flow is produced by: TK Matunda Music credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic design: Rachel Laird

The Cuntsultant Vienna Farlow joins me to answer a listener question about inducing menstruation to avoid having their period on a camping trip. Full Shownotes Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list Follow @amandalaird on Instagram   Music credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic design: Rachel Laird

This week I'm talking to Tanya Smith, Acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practioner. We discuss how menstruation has been used as a vital sign in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries, how TCM can support reproductive wellness and why you don't have to live a perfect lifestyle to have good health. CW: Miscarriage This episode is supported by LunaPads, makers of smart, sustainable alternatives to disposable menstrual products. Visit Lunapads.com to find out why we love them and use code HEAVYFLOW for 15% off any order. Full Shownotes Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list Follow @amandalaird on Instagram Heavy Flow is produced by: TK Matunda Music credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic design: Rachel Laird

This week on Question Period I'm sharing my favourite books about menstruation from the practical to the poetic to the political. This episode is supported by LunaPads, makers of smart, sustainable alternatives to disposable menstrual products. Visit Lunapads.com to find out why we love them and use code HEAVYFLOW for 15% off any order. Full Shownotes Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list Follow @amandalaird on Instagram Music credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic design: Rachel Laird

This week I'm talking to Chella Quint, a comedian, artist, writer, teacher and founder of #periodpositive. Chella and I discuss the importance of positive menstrual education, our first period stories, the origins of period positive, why the goal is truly period neutral and what that would mean in our culture and the case for taxing tampons.  This episode of Heavy Flow is supported by Let's Get Checked, makers of personal, at-home health tests. Visit letsgetchecked.com and use Amanda15 for 15% off any order. Full Shownotes Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list Follow @amandalaird on Instagram Heavy Flow is produced by: TK Matunda Music credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic design: Rachel Laird

When it comes to ending period poverty, a common question is "why don't you just give out menstrual cups?" Jana Girdauskas, the founder of The Period Purse, joins me to talk about why menstrual equity isn't that simple. This episode of Heavy Flow is supported by Let's Get Checked, makers of personal, at-home health tests. Visit letsgetchecked.com and use Amanda15 for 15% off any order. Full Shownotes Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list Follow @amandalaird on Instagram Music credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic design: Rachel Laird

CW: miscarriage, pregnancy loss, birth trauma This week I'm talking to Allison McDonald Ace, a writer and co-founder of The 16 Percent. In this episode, Allison shares the story of losing her baby at 19 weeks, her journey to healing and how she copes with her period after trauma. This episode of Heavy Flow is supported by bebo mia inc, a training and mentorship organization for women in the maternal health field. Register for their new Fertility Specialist Certification and support the 1 in 10 that struggles with fertility. Full Shownotes Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list Follow @amandalaird on Instagram Heavy Flow is produced by: TK Matunda Music credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic design: Rachel Laird

This week on Question Period I'm sharing a bit about recent struggles with my own cycle and how I talked to my doctor about my period concerns, including tips for how you can bring them up to your healthcare provider. This episode of Heavy Flow is supported by bebo mia inc, a training and mentorship organization for women in the maternal health field. Register for their new Fertility Specialist Certification and support the 1 in 10 that struggles with fertility. Full Shownotes Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list Follow @amandalaird on Instagram Music credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic design: Rachel Laird

This week I'm talking to Nicola Salmon of Fertility Freedom. Nicola supports women to reclaim their health and fertility, regardless of age, size, sexuality or ability. In this episode, Nicola and I discuss her PCOS diagnosis at age 16, how diet culture ruins lives, fat-phobia in medicine and fertility, body literacy beyond fertility awareness and using food to support your health without dieting.  What we discussed:  Nicola’s fertility journey, which started at 16 when she was diagnosed with PCOS The event that changed the course of Nicola’s life forever PCOS 101 What is diet culture and how does it show up in our lives? How a fat-phobic medical establishment affects healthcare, particularly around fertility Body literacy beyond fertility awareness How to use food as a tool to health your body while avoiding diets How to advocate for yourself when you’re a fat person This episode of Heavy Flow is supported by bebo mia inc, a training and mentorship organization for women in the maternal health field. Regis

This week I'm talking to Amy Medling, aka PCOS Diva, the best-selling author of Healing PCOS and a certified health coach.  What we discussed:  How Amy became the PCOS Diva What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome? Is PCOS overdiagnosed? Underdiagnosed? Why polycystic ovaries alone can't diagnose PCOS The root causes of PCOS: insulin resistance, hormonal imbalance and inflammation  Hormonal birth control and how it affects PCOS Post-Pill PCOS How food and lifestyle can help manage PCOS symptoms PCOS after menopause Reframing the “battle” with PCOS This episode is supported by LunaPads, makers of smart, sustainable alternatives to disposable menstrual products. Visit Lunapads.com to find out why we love them and use code HEAVYFLOW for 15% off any order. Full Shownotes Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list Follow @amandalaird on Instagram Heavy Flow is produced by: TK Matunda Music credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic design: Rachel Laird

This week on Question Period a listener asks what are fibroids? What we discussed:  What are uterine fibroids? How are they diagnosed? Symptoms of fibroids Treatment options, including diet and lifestyle changes This episode is supported by LunaPads, makers of smart, sustainable alternatives to disposable menstrual products. Visit Lunapads.com to find out why we love them and use code HEAVYFLOW for 15% off any order. Full Shownotes Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list Follow @amandalaird on Instagram Music credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic design: Rachel Laird

This week I'm talking to Kelly Swartz. Kelly is a holistic erotic expert and founder of Awoken Beauty. We discuss the importance of self-intimacy and discovering the erotic self, sex after motherhood, feminist porn and expanding the definition of sex beyond intercourse. What we discussed:  How an early interest in sex lead to Kelly becoming an erotic expert Why self-intimacy isn't just about masturbating and why it's important Discovering the “erotic self” Sex and sexuality after motherhood How to cultivate self-intimacy Feminist porn - what is it, why it’s important and how to find it Expanding your definition of sex beyond intercourse Full Shownotes  Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list  Follow @amandalaird on Instagram Heavy Flow is produced by: TK Matunda Music credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic design: Rachel Laird

This week on Question Period a listener asks why does menstrual blood smell?  What we discussed:  Is menstrual blood the same as the blood in the rest of your body?  How big brands profit off our fear of body odours  When you should worry about vaginal odour Full Shownotes  Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list  Follow @amandalaird on Instagram Music credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic design: Rachel Laird

Today I'm talking to Meghan Cleary. Meghan is a writer, speaker, advocate and founder of Bad Periods. We discuss Meghan's three-decade journey to a diagnosis, endometriosis variations and treatments and how clinical gender-bias affects the treatment of female bodies. What we discussed:  Meghan’s story, beginning with her mother’s use of DES during pregnancy The different types of endometriosis Fulguration and excision for endometriosis treatment The importance of finding a surgical specialist The Gyno Ghetto How clinical gender bias affects the treatment of female bodies The psychological impacts of being told there’s nothing wrong with you Endometriosis as a chronic illness This episode is supported by LunaPads, makers of smart, sustainable alternatives to disposable menstrual products. Visit Lunapads.com to find out why we love them and use code HEAVYFLOW for 15% off any order. Full Shownotes  Subscribe to the Heavy Flow email list  Follow @amandalaird on Instagram Heavy Flow is produced by: TK Matunda Mu

We're replaying the Best of Heavy Flow while we're on hiatus over the summer! Hit subscribe to get new episodes in the fall. This week I’m talking to Brittany-Lyne Carriere, a full-spectrum doula. We discuss supporting all pregnancy outcomes including abortion and miscarriage, Brittany-Lyne’s personal experience terminating a pregnancy, the far-reaching lack of support within the medical system for women and femme-presenting people, and how holistic practices seem to be filling in some of the gaps. We also talk about chocolate covered potato chips. CW: abortion and pregnancy loss Connect with Brittany-Lyne:  Facebook Twitter Instagram Resources: Holistic Healing After Abortion Holistic Healing After Miscarriage Production Assistance: Vocal Fry Studios

We're replaying the Best of Heavy Flow while we're on hiatus over the summer! Hit subscribe to get new episodes in the fall. Today I’m talking to Sarah Barmak, author of Closer: Notes from the Orgasmic Frontier of Female Sexuality. In this episode, we talk about orgasms, how our culture informs female sexuality and consent. What we discussed: How female and male sexuality is hardwired in our brains What is an orgasm and why do we have them? How our culture affects female sexuality The broad spectrum of female orgasms including external, cervical and uterine orgasms Is the vagina an absence or a presence? Your amazing cervix! The benefits of exploratory pleasure Consent in the age of #MeToo Connect with Sarah: Website  Twitter  Sarah’s Tedx Talk - Women’s Sexuality Isn’t ‘Complicated’ Closer: Notes From the Orgasmic Frontier of Female Sexuality  Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 4 - Cycle Syncing with Gabrielle Lichterman Emily Nagoski The Dirty Normal  Natrishka Carly Boyce  What Consent Mean